In the three decades that he has been around the New England jazz, blues, and rock scenes, Bruce has had the opportunity to play with some great local, national, and international artists.

He plays now and then with legendary soul blues singer Toni Lynn Washington, including recent shows at Foxwoods Casino, Johnny D's, Chan's, and the Sea Note. Bruce has done stints and one-offs with guitarists Troy Gonyea (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Mike Williams (the Bruce Katz Band), Chris Fitz, and Chris Stovall Brown ; blues harp master Jerry Portnoy (Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton); horn players such as Charles Neville (Neville Brothers), Doug James (Duke Robillard), and Sax Gordon Beadle; filling in for BK himself with the Bruce Katz Band; and of course his own groups under the names the Bruce Mattson Band, and the Chili Brothers.

In 2005 Bruce had the pleasure of playing the after-party at Boston's Lenox Hotel for the Rolling Stones immediately following their performance at Fenway Park. As part of the Jerry Portnoy All-Star Band, he played side-by-side with Stones pianist Chuck Leavell (see after-party photo below) for one long hour-and-a-half set.

Bruce is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, and  has also studied privately with a lot of great players, including bebop pianist Fred Holovnia, whose jazz big band he played in for many years, as well as jazz organ and boogie piano master Bruce Katz, and veteran Muddy Waters pianist David Maxwell.

His primary influences include Gene Harris, Mac Rebennak, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Ray Charles, Jimmy McGriff, Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, James Booker, et. al.

Bruce recorded a rock solo album in 1995, titled Murder, Adventure, and Romance, which included the talents of then Extreme producer Bob St. John, and Peter Wolf bassist Tim Archibald. The album contains virtually no keyboards - he played guitar only on this CD project.

These days Bruce keeps busy with a combination of jazz and blues live performance work, including the New Orleans Funk and R&B band the Chili Brothers, session work for a few Boston area studios and producers, arranging and scoring for multi media, as well as writing and non-stop shedding.

In 2003 Bruce was included in the Jazz Worcester Real Book. The entry includes his up-tempo blues head Sass Me Back, in addition to a one-page bio.

Bruce's instrument arsenal currently includes a vintage '63 Hammond A-100, a mid-'60's Leslie 147, Yamaha P250 piano, and Rhodes Stage 73 electric piano in the studio. For live work he plays a dual-manual Nord C1 organ through a Level V Custom Touring Leslie, and a Yamaha P250 piano.

Bruce has played a lot of guitar through the years as well, both live and in the studio. His favorite guitars include his Hamer Custom Arch Top, a Fender American Strat Plus Deluxe with Lace Sensor pickups, and a Washburn acoustic-electric.

For no apparent reason Bruce also holds a commercial/instrument pilot's license with an advanced ground instructor rating. No one really knows why. Best not to ask.

With Chuck Leavell at the Stone's After Party, August, 2005.	With the great Pinetop Perkins - his Mojo's definitely still working.